The key to any successful consultation is how you approach it. Most of us have good days and bad days. Some mornings you may feel really motivated and everything flows perfectly for the rest of the day. At other times, you might feel a little low and, for some reason, nothing goes to plan.

The state you find yourself in at any point in the day can influence your behaviour and therefore the outcomes. Pharmacy professionals should be aware of and limit self- talk throughout a consultation. Try not to impose your view where it is not necessary. You may not agree with a patient’s view, but it is essential to respect it.

Further information

• You can find Consultation Skills for Pharmacy Practice
• The Calgary Cambridge model is an approach to medical interviewing that can be used in pharmacy consultations. You can find an overview of the model and how to apply it.